Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1887-11-19

Louis Lingg, by some means unknown,
secreted in his cell small dynamite
shell. Placing this in his mouth Thurs
day morning he blew his jaw and neck to
pieces. He fingered for several hours in
agony. His death and the cemmutation
of his companions left four men to be
hanged on Friday. The terrible events
leading to the arrest and trial of the An
archists, with details of the execution
funeral of four of the condemned men,
and sketches of the lives of all seven,
will be found below.
Their Last Hours.
During the long hours of the night the
only newspaper men who were admitted
to the inner precincts of the Jail were the
representatives of the Associated Press.
They had quarters in what is known as
the lawyers cage, and were within ten
feet of the Anarchists. AT o'clock one
of them made the tour of the lower cor
ridor where Spies, Parson, Fischer and
Engel were confined. In each cell were
two stalwart guardes, who stood watch
over the Anarchists. The former chat
ted in low tones, and whispered jokes
among themselves to while away the time
But the talk and whispered jokes were
all lost on the prisoners. Each one was
in the heaviest of slumbers. Spies lay
on one side, his head on his arm, and
slept as peacefully as babe. Fischer
had turned over ON his back, and the
CONSCIENCE was that his frequent snoring
echoed in a startling manner through the
silent corridors of the building.
Engel lay motionless, as did Parsons,
except that at times the latter started
uneasiIy as if dreams were coursing
through his mind. Then at intervals the
silence was broken by the stealthy walk
of the armed guard, who made the
rounds of the lower corridor to see that
all was well. The only other disturbing
element was the mewing Of the Jail cat
who kept up the noise so persistently
that at last the deputy bore down, cap
tured and removed her to the basement,
where her cries could not be heard. All
the common prisoners to the number of
about two hundred, were left in their
usual cells.
At one o'clock a change was made in
the death watch Deputy Hartke had
been guarding Spies since 8 o'clock. He
reported that he had quite a long talk
with the Anarchist. Spies declared that
he had no reason to be afraid, and then
aunched forth in TRADE against the
Courts. He asserted that all the Judges
who had any connection with the case
had reason to tremble, while the An
archists could hold up their heads and
walk to death with steady footstep
The deputy also related the manner in
which Rev. DIR. Bolton was received by
Spies. The divine asked him If he
would not accept spiritual consolation.
Spies, with naughty shake Of the head,
declared that he had no use for any cler-
gyman. 'Pray for YOURSELF" returned
Spies ''you need it more than J." At II
o'clock Spies lay down on his cot and
closed his eyes, but did not sleep. Sever
al times he got up for a drink Of water.
But his every movement betOkened a
frmness which was astonishing.
So 1t was with the rest Of the Anarch-
lists. Parsons had the nerve to entertain
his guari with song. His selection
was annie Lburie.r He sang the sweet
song entirely through and, when he had
finished, rested his head on his hands foi
a few moments and then repeated the
song. His fortituded was the wonder Of
all wh) heard him. Betwren I and
O'Clock the sheriff and his assistants test
ed the gHllows. Heavy bags Of sand
were attached TO the ropes and the traps
were sprung. The machine worked Il
perfe, e,tion and in all respects was salts
factory to the authorities. The usua
qaie: prevailed in the jail